EASB: Holistic approach to education

EASB’s rise to current prominence began 25 years ago in 1984 as a training and consultancy outfit, dedicated to the provision of trained IT software professionals for the Republic’s burgeoning IT industry. The success of this pioneering endeavor quickly led to the company’s expansion into Information Technology and Management (ITM) Associates in 1989, in tandem with, and response to, the upgrading of the national economy into a hightech and high value-adding economy. 

In 2001, ITM Associates was restructured to become East Asia School of Business (EASB). It quickly entered into collaborative partnerships with selected renowned universities in UK to launch a series of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes in IT, business and management-related disciplines. Recognition of EASB’s success came rapidly.

In 2003, EASB received the prestigious Singapore Quality Class (SQC) Award by the Government of Singapore through SPRING for attaining a commendable level of performance. In 2004, EASB’s name change was officially approved by the Ministry of Education to become the East Asia Institute of Management. Notwithstanding its new name and elevated status, East Asia Institute of Management will continue to be referred to as EASB. The letters EASB have been trademarked in three countries namely Singapore, Malaysia and the People’s Republic of China. It continues to serve the letterings for the institution’s logo.

In 2005, its reputation was further enhanced by being an early recipient of the CaseTrust for Education award. This special mark is awarded to private education institutions that have provided good business practices.

EASB currently has a register of over 3,500 enrolled students in its wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, covering the diverse fields of Hospitality and Tourism, Business and Management, Information Management and Technology, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Nursing, Banking and Finance, and Accountancy. EASB has also been articulated and accepted by 25 overseas universities for advanced standing into their final/completion year of bachelor degrees in relevant subjects. Thus EASB students have a choice of various pathways to complete their Bachelor Degree in one of the 30 partner universities overseas or they have an option to complete the final year in EASB itself. EASB also conducts a range of Masters’ and Doctorate level management and business related courses.

One of the reasons for EASB’s sustained success is its Holistic Education Approach and success in producing career-ready, confident, competent and committed professionals that can be productive immediately upon graduation. Their quick and ready employment into management and executive positions, by local companies and multi-national corporations, immediately upon graduation attests to the high value employers attach to qualifications obtained at EASB. EASB’s Hospitality and Tourism graduates and their Business and Accountancy graduates are highly sought after by prospective employers. Articulation with over 30 foreign universities is an indication that EASB’s courses are holistic and well developed. Identical degrees are also awarded by the universities as on-campus studies.

EASB’s Year 1 Bachelor Degree courses are designed using the UK QAA Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS), thus facilitating our students’ progression into universities in the UK, Australia, USA and New Zealand. Currently, the Balestier campus is among the largest single location private education facility in Singapore, with a land area of 18,000 sq metres and built-up area of more than 37,000 sq metres.

It is also fully equipped to meet the learning and recreational needs of up to 6,000 enrolled students. New state-of-the-art facilities include 60 classrooms and mini-lecture theatres; 1 students’ learning centre; 1 library; 1 computer and language laboratory; videoconference room; postgraduate resource centre; hospitality training centre; multi-purpose hall; 2 badminton courts; 3 basketball courts; 1 cricket pitch; 2 tennis courts; a running track; a fitness gym; and a pool and games room.

Besides the new Balestier campus, EASB also has another campus in Henderson with a capacity for 2,500 students. In May 2010, EASB is among the first batch of PEIs to be awarded with the EduTrust Singapore certification for maintaining the best education standards for welfare of students and attaining greater heights of excellence.

This Certification is a significant milestone for EASB. It is a quality assurance framework that complements the mandatory registration framework. To be EduTrust Certified, PEIs must have robust their academic systems and processes, and attained quality standards in the delivery of education. It is also an assurance to our local and international students, parents and stakeholders who may have been concerned over issues of academic quality, proper student fee protection and overall school management.